Below are Smith’s predictions and some of the evidence he cites to illustrate that a deal is on the way:

1. Carlos Boozer – Says Smith:

The Jazz is now trying Millsap at small forward, which won’t work. I’ve heard they stopped talking quite awhile ago about dealing Boozer. The speculation around the NBA is the Jazz, which has dealt well with disgruntled players before, feel they can get a better deal waiting closer to the trade deadline. But it’s a risk. And could be costly. Their payroll is $82 million, more than $12 million into the luxury tax and sixth most in the NBA, astonishingly high for a small market team.

I don’t see the Boozer experiment working with Millsap in the wings. But it seems more vital for the team to save some money. The late owner Larry Miller’s money came from the auto industry, which we knew isn’t doing so well. By not dealing Boozer this past summer, the Jazz would still have to take back comparable salary. But there’s a 25 percent differential allowed in trades. That kind of deal for Boozer would save the Jazz some $6 million. The speculation is Miami, which Boozer this summer named his top choice, is most likely to make a deal. I can see Miami wanting to get out from under Michael Beasley with all his issues. Udonis Haslem with an expiring deal also has been mentioned.

2. Monta Ellis – Says Smith:

The Warriors are in love with Curry and have plenty of guards. Ellis is a big time scorer and no fan of management, either. Perhaps no one there noticed it was only Chris Mullin who sided with Ellis and urged restraint after Ellis’s moped accident. So Mullin then was fired. Ellis got the message. It isn’t going to work, and someone should be able to get an All Star level scorer for an expiring deal.

3. Rip Hamilton – Says Smith:

The Pistons have perhaps their softest front court in two decades. They’ll find that out soon, and then Rip will have to go for some size and toughness before he gets too cranky about things.

The poor kid has no idea what he’s gotten himself into playing with Allen Iverson, Zach Randolph, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. He’ll go to sleep with screams in his head of guys demanding the ball. He’s not tough enough to stand up to that yet. It’s time to reunite him with high school buddy Greg Oden in Portland, where they paid big money for free agent point guard Andre Miller. That reduces the utility of Steve Blake as Portland also will have Rudy Fernandez handling the ball more. Blake’s a tough, savvy guard who can play in that Memphis turmoil and actually help. And it can’t hurt the moody Oden to have that familiar face back.

We actually see almost all of these moves going down at some point this season, with the Conley deal least likely to happen. The Iverson move, at it’s most basic level, is most likely being looked at as a one-year move to sell tickets and make the Grizzlies more relevant in the NBA landscape. They’re not going to easily part with a generally unselfish starting point guard who is still figuring things out for a journeyman like Steve Blake. Blake is valuable, no doubt, but Memphis has made an investment in Conley and want to see if there is a chance for him to grow with O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay.

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i say spurs dump bonners lack of defense, finleys age, and ian mahinmi’s “potential” for nocioni. the numbers work, the only issues is the length of his contract, and he would fit in better then oberto did. its a win win, worst case sac-town gets 3 expiring contracts, and the spurs get a hustle guy who can play defense.

By: chebs

10.05.2009 @ 1:34 PM

conley very well could avg 8 assists this season (09-10)

By: Brown

10.05.2009 @ 1:40 PM

The Warriors aren’t just going to give Ellis away to get rid of his contract. The front office is stupid, but not that stupid.

By: JayGM

10.05.2009 @ 2:12 PM

I just hope Hamilton can get traded to the Wizards. The Wizards can give the Pistons some young talent.

1. I don’t think Miami or any team will deal for Boozer because they’d only have to wait till the end of the season to snag him. No need to give up players for him when he’d be done after the season anyway.

2. I don’t know about this one. Ellis has proven (if just barely) that he can be a solid PG. With Jackson requesting a trade as well and Curry in the wings it is a possibiltiy though. Golden State has some of the worst management in sports so you never know whats gonna happen.

3. This is the trade that I thikn absolutely must go through. Everyone saw last yr the controversy with Rip and AI. Ben Gordon isn’t AI (in skill or selfishness) but he still demands the ball and (although he was a 6th man of the year in Chicago) playing time. The same thing could happen this year if Detroit doesnt move Rip. They could have a nice backcourt with Stuckey and BG and Rip would have alot of value as a trade piece.

4. Not sure about this one either. Westphal isnt smart if he’s going to start a solid guy like Nocioni on the bench. He’s physical and plays tough, something Sacramento didnt do last year. He does have trade value to a contender though.

5. Dont see this one happening. Memphis’ management has made some stupid decisions, but from the way things seem they’ll want Conley to grow with Mayo and Gay.

By: Mellmeister

10.05.2009 @ 4:17 PM

I think a Rip Hamilton for Carlos Boozer would be a good move, with another trading partner willing to work with The Jazz and Pistons… I think it’ll be a great fit for both… jazz could get a shooting guard with veteran leadership. to help out with sloan’s offense… pick and roll is going to do him well.

By: Young Lebron 23

10.05.2009 @ 4:51 PM

The problem with ellis is how well can he play in a different system where he doesnt have the green light to shoot all day

By: dwight coward

10.05.2009 @ 6:09 PM

All ex-Warriors are good for 5 extra ppg and at least one all-star appearance.

I’m sure Nellie can be roused from his barstool long enough to dump Monta for a couple of good bottles of JD and an expiring contract. Remember, Jack is his (night)cap.

By: dreams

10.05.2009 @ 7:55 PM

TRADES THAT WILL BENIFIT BOTH TEAMS;

Knicks get Chris Bosh
Raptors get David Lee, Jordan Hill and a 2011 first rounder.

Bucks get Delonte West, J.J Hickson & cash
Cavs get Michael Redd

Warriors get Tayshaun Prince
Pistons get Stephen Jackson

Dallas get Monta Ellis
Warriors get Josh Howard

By: dave

10.06.2009 @ 1:42 AM

jordan hills a bust and we dun want another pick. if we do trade bosh i sure hope is not another roook

By: pleasepleaseplease

10.06.2009 @ 11:47 AM

Knicks can’t trade their 2011 first rounder because they don’t own their 2010 pick. Teams are not allowed to trade their picks two years in a row.

By: fan

10.06.2009 @ 12:06 PM

Jordan Hill is real bad. What is our scouting dept doing. What a waste of a pick.

By: fan

10.06.2009 @ 12:19 PM

Boozer needs to go to Miami or Cleveland. Noc is a solid player in this league. I’d like him in Cleveland as well. Monta is a stud with a real pg he’s trouble. It’s hard to replace a player of Baron’s caliber. Rip needs a passing pg. He’d be good in NY or Miami. I like all the trades mentioned above. It would make the N.B.A. fantastic & very competitive

By: Arroyo

10.11.2009 @ 1:01 AM

Monta and Jackson to Memphis for Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.

Monta goes home to Memphis, it works. The Warriors clear out the other point guard trash and settle with Curry and Conley, Gay and Randolph is a good front court, and Gasol adds some strength in the 4 and 5 positions. The money works too.

Either that or just do a Marbury on Jackson and let him go home, don’t give him the satisfaction of barking his way out of town.